An evening to remember

The prom has become an annual event.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

GIRARD — Howland area resident Emma Adgate spent more than an hour showering, combing her hair and putting on a black dress with sequin frills in preparation for a date with the most important man in her life.

What makes Emma’s date so special is that she is only 9 years old, and her escort Friday night was her father, Chuck Adgate.

The father and daughter pair took part in the annual “My Guy and Me” Prom sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio for its members age 6 through 17.

The event was at the Mahoning Country Club on East Liberty Street.

Lori Shandor, fund development coordinator for the Girl Scouts, said the annual banquet was started nine years ago as a means of preparing young girls for future dating.

“This is a way to give girls an idea of how they should be treated when on a date,” Shandor said. “When they come here with a significant male in their lives, we know they will be treated well and will be shown how they should be treated.”

Chuck Adgate, dressed in a black suit to match the evening attire worn by his daughter, said spending time with Emily and showing her what to expect from future suitors is what the evening is about. The Adgates have attended the event for the past three years.

“It’s fun to be with her for the evening, and it’s good practice for her to see what it’s like to go out with a guy — how she should be treated and everything,” he said.

Julia Carson, 7, and her dad, John Carson of Niles, will share the same experience of Julia learning what to expect on future dates, but for right now she was more interested in talking with her fellow Scouts and spending some one-on-one time with dad.

“I am hoping we just have a really good time and get to spend some time together,” John Carson said.

For an hour before the event, young girls in nice gowns rolled through the doors of the country club smiling with their fathers by their side. Shandor said some fathers go all out for the event, renting tuxedos and limousines.

“This really is like their first prom,” she said.

According to Shandor, the event is open to Girl Scouts up to 17, but the majority of those who attend are 12 and younger. Many, she said, say the event is one of the most memorable events in Girl Scouts.

The evening begins with pictures, after which all mothers are kicked out. The father-and-daughter couples then eat dinner and spend the rest of the night dancing. A king and princess of the prom are randomly selected from a basket filled with names.

jgoodwin@vindy.com